Solar collector apparatus

Claim 1

In a solar collector apparatus comprising a platen which is rotatable in a horizontal plane, a solar collector supported by the platen, means for rotating the platen in the horizontal plane such that the solar collector follows the sun, said solar collector comprising a plurality of a solar radiation concentrators, a heat absorber in the focus of each concentrator, and pump and control means for circulating a liquid through the heat absorbers and a liquid magazine, the improvements wherein: the concentrators are elongated and arranged in parallel with each other, the heat absorbers include conduits located in the focal line areas of the concentrators, said conduits having an inlet tube connected to one end thereof, which inlet tube extends near the bottom of said magazine to draw liquid therefrom, and an outlet tube connected to the other end thereof which dispenses liquid near the top of said magazine to thereby establish a relatively warm layer of liquid which floats on a relatively cool layer of liquid in said magazine, the liquid magazine includes a separation foil arranged between the relatively cool and relatively warm layers in said magazine to inhibit intermixing thereof and thereby create a stratification effect in said magazine, the concentrators are located on the platen with their longitudinal axes aligned in the vertical plane of the solar direction, and the means for rotating the platen is adapted to maintain such alignment of the concentrators.